Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has gone to the capital market to raise N24 billion to pay 10 years backlog of gratuities to retired workers.
The governor reiterated his governmentโs resolve to clear the backlog of unpaid gratuities owed retirees.
He emphasized that government cannot allow the aged sleep hungry or be unable to afford their medications.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche.
The statement disclosed that the state government was already sourcing for funds from the capital market to redeem the debts owed retirees.
In September, during his inaugural meeting with journalists, Otu had lamented the ordeals that the retirees and other senior citizens in the state were going through.
โWithout these retired workers who came before us, we would not be here. And so, we must ensure that what is s due them is given to them.
โWe are already negotiating with banks to enable us clear the outstanding gratuities,โ he said.